SR13

Sunday, March 31, 2013

Easter Sermon 3 31 2013

THE ROAD BACK FROM EMMAUS

EASTER SUNDAY

March 31, 2013

Happy Resurrection Day! I want to start today by telling you a story from my childhood. It was 50 years ago. I was 12 going on 13. Our farm was less than a mile from town so I walked or rode my bicycle to go get parts for the tractor, go to Boy Scout meetings, music lessons, sports practice, etc. There was one bad thing about that trip… our neighbors the Rolands had a dog… a big coal black, mean dog with large teeth. He only hated two things in this world: pedestrians and bicyclists. He came running out growling and snapping to express his rage when either passed by. There was another route home. It was through the middle of the cemetery. During the day I went that way though it was a longer trip. But at night, all my superstitious fears even outweighed the fear of that huge black beast. I lived in terror of that ride or walk home.

One night I was especially frightened. It was dark and the moon peaked occasionally through the low, fast moving clouds, pushed by the whistling wind. I forgot to mention that just west of the Roland’s acreage was the burned out shell of a house where a lady had died in the fire on a night like this. As I cycled by that “haunted” area a car came down the road from down, but instead of speeding up and passing me, it went slower and slower till it matched my speed and stayed a few feet behind. I was more worried… and getting closer to where the dog would come out to, I was certain, devour me. The car behind gradually pulled up beside me. I tried not to look, but finally did. It was my father! He had gone to town for some reason and was following me slowly to give me the benefit of his headlights. My fear disappeared immediately. My FATHER was there. I was invincible! I sneered at the pitiful little dog and rode home proudly.

Our Bible lesson this Resurrection Day has somewhat in common with my parable. You see, about 1980 years ago, give or take. There was a couple running happily down a lonely, dangerous road in the dark and without fear, they’d just been visited by someone powerful who had shed light on them also. Let’s turn to Luke chapter 24 for that narrative. We’ll begin reading at verse 13.

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people:

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

35 And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread.

36 And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

37 But they were terrified and affrighted, and supposed that they had seen a spirit.

You recognize this passage certainly. The story of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus is familiar to everyone. Of course this morning I’d like to talk about the road back from there. Let’s begin with verse 13…

13 And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs.

We are speaking in verse 13 of two of Jesus’ disciples, neither was of the original 12, but they were obviously very familiar with Him and were heart broken at His death. Who were they? The answer may surprise you, at least half of it. Every artist’s rendering of this shows two men walking along with the Lord as He expounds to them… or of two men running back down the road. What the paintings or drawing do NOT show is that likely one of the disciples was a woman, the wife of Cleopas. That’s right, this was very likely a husband and wife. MacDonald thinks it’s very possible, Ironside is almost certain. Some later, mostly Roman Catholic I’m sure, commentators suggest the second unnamed person was Luke himself. This is very unlikely. Unlike John, when Luke was somewhere he said so. He uses the words “I” and “we” and “us” when he is present. It would be unlikely for him to do otherwise in this passage.

Threescore furlongs is confirmed by Josephus in his history. He stated the distance as about sixty stadia distant from Jerusalem. The standard Roman stadium being 243 yards across. Now you know why we refer to football stadiums. The distance was about 6 and ¾ miles, say from Pella to Otley.

In those days under Roman rule, as in most occupied countries, the army ruled the day and the criminals and revolutionaries the night. So people journeyed during daylight there being more to worry about at night than ghosts and black Labrador retrievers.

14 And they talked together of all these things which had happened.

They had just witnessed their brightest hopes dashed, so they thought. Now they grieved over it as, like Peter returned to his fishing boat, they returned to their home. Two people walking along talking will go between 2 ½ to 3 miles per hour. At 4 miles per hour chatting becomes difficult, at 41/2 to 5 you’re trotting or jogging and it’s impossible.

15 And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them.

Clarke says about them reasoning, “concerning the probability or improbability of Christ being the Messiah, or of his resurrection from the dead. It was a laudable custom of the Jews, and very common also, to converse about the law in all their journeyings; and now they had especial reason to discourse together, both of the law and the prophets, from the transactions which had recently taken place.”

It was not surprising that a stranger would join them at such a time. The road was certain alive with traffic as those who had travelled to Jerusalem for the Passover returned home. Remember that when Mary and Joseph took the young Jesus to Passover the crowd was so great on the return journey that they didn’t miss Him for quite some time. Also, Jews love to discuss and argue. I’ve heard it said that to have 3 Jews talking together is to have 4 opinions on everything.

16 But their eyes were holden that they should not know him.

In John we see Mary Magdalene not recognize Jesus when she first sees Him in the garden. Later the disciples do not when they are fishing and He is making them breakfast on the shore. Mark tells us why in chapter 16.

12 After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country.

I suspect this had something to do with Him now being in His resurrection body, so different than the battered, tortured one they’d observed earlier.

17 And he said unto them, What manner of communications are these that ye have one to another, as ye walk, and are sad?

Their grief was obvious. I so often work with self destructive patients who believe that the world would be better off without them because no one really cares. There is One who cares, always, isn’t there? And here He shows it.

18 And the one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answering said unto him, Art thou only a stranger in Jerusalem, and hast not known the things which are come to pass there in these days?

So we have one name, why not the other? It would seem likely that the commentators are correct and this is husband and wife. Should this be the same person mentioned as Alpheus in Mark 3:18, then he is the father of the apostle James. If that is true and his companion is his wife, she would be the sister of Mary, Jesus’ mother and, I might add, as much older than his wife than Joseph was of Mary. These connections are somewhat speculative, but would not surprise me to be true.

The events in Jerusalem were so obvious and so shocking that it was inconceivable to Cleopas that anyone could have been anywhere near and not known of them. Yet we know Christ was “a stranger in a strange land” and came “to His own and His own received Him not.” Nay, worse, they had him tortured to death.

19 And he said unto them, What things? And they said unto him, Concerning Jesus of Nazareth, which was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people.

The words translated “prophet” here is more emphatic. They mean the “man prophet” and the “genuine prophet”. Perhaps as Pilate said “behold the Man”. This is a declaration of faith by Cleopas no matter how mistaken he was about other things. He is stating that Jesus’ miracles were genuine, of God, and irrefutably Devine. “Mighty in word” means irresistibly eloquent.

Jesus asked “What things?” as a tool to draw out from him his true understanding as the Lord did Peter when He asked “lovest thou me?”. Or when the Father asked Adam and Eve what they had done. He knew, but He wanted them to say it and own it.

20 And how the chief priests and our rulers delivered him to be condemned to death, and have crucified him.

If you are one of those who wants to engage in the argument whether the Lord was crucified by the Jews or the Romans, Luke here answers it. The Jews delivered Him to the Romans for legal condemnation, but Luke gives them, not the Romans credit for the crucifixion.

21 But we trusted that it had been he which should have redeemed Israel: and beside all this, to day is the third day since these things were done.

Poor Cleopas! He wanted to believe, and did not see Jesus as a military conqueror but actually as He was, the Redeemer promised by Job’s prophecy, yet he cannot understand why the Redeemer should die like this. But Cleopas remembered well the Lord’s promise. This is the third day.

22 Yea, and certain women also of our company made us astonished, which were early at the sepulchre;

23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

Here is what Cleopas is referring to from earlier in the same chapter:

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words,

9 And returned from the sepulchre, and told all these things unto the eleven, and to all the rest.

The last three words, “all the rest” shows there were other disciples present, including Mr. and Mrs. Cleopas.

Sadly, the next part of the passage shows the doubts of the apostles and disciples.

11 And their words seemed to them as idle tales, and they believed them not.

24 And certain of them which were with us went to the sepulchre, and found it even so as the women had said: but him they saw not.

Once more Cleopas gives an accurate account.

12 Then arose Peter, and ran unto the sepulchre; and stooping down, he beheld the linen clothes laid by themselves, and departed, wondering in himself at that which was come to pass.

25 Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:

The harshness of the word “fools” comes from the difficulty in translating Greek into English. It might well be “foolish ones” or “simple ones” or “not carefully considering ones”.

“Slow of heart” is explained well by Clarke: “Backward, not easy to be persuaded of the truth, always giving way to doubtfulness and distrust. This very imperfection in them is a strong evidence of the truth of the doctrine which they afterwards believed, and proclaimed to the world. Had they not had the fullest assurance of these things, they never would have credited them; and it is no small honour to the new-covenant Scriptures that such persons were chosen, first, to believe them; secondly, to proclaim them in the world; and, thirdly, to die on the evidence of those truths, the blessed influence of which they felt in their own hearts, and fully exemplified in their lives.”

26 Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?

In modern English this would be something such as: “Was it not necessary for Christ to suffer?” His glory is in salvation of souls, not in military victory. It’s a different glory entirely.

27 And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

If ever I’ve wished for a scribe to be present on a walk, this would be it. We know that Luke went to Palestine to investigate the reports of what had happened. It cannot be doubted that he interviewed many of these people, perhaps even this couple. Mary certainly seems to have opened up her heart and memories to him. Imagine if this teaching were available word for word. Please notice also that He is here giving Divine acceptance of the inerrancy of the Old Testament Canon. MacDonald reminds us that in John the Lord said:

John 5:38-40

38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

And that if they believe Moses they MUST believe in HIM.

28 And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further.

A cynic might claim the Lord was being dishonest here. Not so! Had they wished, I believe He would have continued on. The effect His speaking had upon them is shown in the next verse.

29 But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them.

They wanted the Lord to stay with them. So we know this is where they both lived. And He didn’t even have to knock.

Revelation 3:20: Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

There is an important distinction in this verse from Revelation. It’s not enough, not nearly enough to recognize His knocking. We must hear His voice also AND open the door. Again we tread on the confusing ground of Divine Will and free will. What I do know is we have His promise, “I will”.

Remember too, it was dangerous on the roads at night and there were no streetlights, no phones to call for help and in Israel, hospitality was expected. To this day in the Middle East, even deadly enemies can request sanctuary and receive a place to sleep and food.

30 And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them.

I quote from Clarke: "He took bread" - This was the office of the master and father of a family, and this was our Lord's usual custom among his disciples. Those whom Christ lodges with he feeds, and feeds too with bread that himself hath blessed, and this feeding not only strengthens, but also enlightens the soul.”

31 And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight.

Most commentators believe they know why the couple’s eyes were opened. Perhaps the blind hymn writer Fanny Crosby did too:

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

And redeemed by His side I shall stand,

I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.

We are told there ap­peared in London a man who styled himself the messiah, and for many weeks a large crowd was attracted to him. One night, however, as he was talking in one of the open squares in the city, a small band of the Salvation Army passed along, singing,

“I shall know Him, I shall know Him,

By the print of the nails in His hand.”

The great throng joined in the chorus. Finally someone pointed at the self-styled Christ and said, “Look at his hands and see if the print of the nails is there.” They did as directed, but no print appeared, and they at once left off following him.

32 And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?

The Psalmist spoke of such:

Psalm 39:3 My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue,

33 And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them,

34 Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon.

This is not the road TO Emmaus… but the one FROM. The sadness is over. The fear forgotten. A greater light is shown on their way. And without escort or assistance back they go. I’m reminded of another hymn:

Some glorious morning sorrow will cease

Some glorious morning all will be peace

Heartaches all ended, school days all done

Heaven will open - Jesus will come.

Sad hearts will gladden, all shall be bright

Goodbye forever to earth's dark night

Changed in a moment, like Him to be

Oh, glorious daybreak, Jesus I'll see.

Oh, what a meeting, there in the skies

No tears nor crying shall dim our eyes

Loved ones united eternally

Oh, what a daybreak that morn will be.

Some golden daybreak Jesus will come

Some golden daybreak, battles all won

He’ll shout the vict'ry, break thro' the blue

Some golden daybreak, for me, for you.

Know the Apostles join the disciples and the greatest declaration of all time is stated:

“The Lord is risen indeed”.

That is our blessed Hope. That is the joy of this Resurrection Day. The debt is settled. The price is paid and victory is the Lords… and thus ours.